Shelley skipper Antony Leech is looking forward to facing an old teammate when the Huddersfield side host Oldham’s Avro in a Hallmark Security North West Counties League clash at the Stafflex Arena on Saturday (3.00).

The 33-year-old defender, the only Shelley player to have figured in all 22 matches so far this season, played alongside Avro frontman Michael Norton at Curzon Ashton when the pair were teenagers.

Now Leech is aiming to put the stops on Norton in the clash of teams who have both made an impressive start to life in the First Division North after moving up from the West Yorkshire and Manchester League respectively.

Shelley are fifth and Avro third, with both seeking a fourth straight victory.

While brought up in the Holme Valley, Leech crossed the Pennines to kick-start his non-league career, following in the footsteps of dad Alan, who played for Curzon Ashton, Ashton United and Hyde United.

After three seasons at Curzon, he joined AFC Emley, of the Northern Counties East League, in 2007, and three years ago, switched to Shelley.

“I knew (manager) Ash Berry, and I knew the club were ambitious about moving up the non-league pyramid,” explained Leech, who succeeded former Halifax Town forward Andy Farrell as captain in 2016.

“I enjoyed playing in the West Yorkshire League, but the North West Counties is even better, and we’re very happy with how we have done so far.

Shelley FC's manager Ash Berry

“When we entered the league in the summer, our first thought was survival, and if anyone had offered us fifth place at this stage, we’d have snapped their hand off.

“We’re certainly not getting carried away, because we’re only 16 games into a 38-match league season, but it’s so far, so good.

“Of all the sides we have played, only (leaders) Longridge Town have given us a proper going over. In all the other games we have lost or drawn, we have been competitive.”

While Shelley’s scheduled league game at Holker Old Boys on Saturday fell victim to a waterlogged pitch, Avro thumped Wythenshawe Town 7-0 in the second round of the North West Counties League’s Macron Cup.

“I still keep tabs on the Manchester non-league scene,” added Leech, who is a partner in the firm Project Sport, which delivers sports coaching to children and young people in the Huddersfield, Halifax and Saddleworth areas.

“Avro are an up-and-coming club who did well in the Manchester League and have carried that form into the North West Counties.

“They will give us a good test, and it will be an interesting gauge of where we are at four months into the season.”